Post epidural movement...experiences

[FlirtyThirty]

I am considering the MLU water birth for my first labour. Talking to my mum...she says I'm totally mad (in the micest way!) and that I should go to the main hospital and have every drug offered. In fact she offered to hit me over the head with a hammer if I liked, cirting that this would have been her own preference to the pain of having me...

Anyway..it did get me thinking. If I were to end up unable to cope and want an epidural, how soon after can you move around? And does someone help you to shower after birth if you're struggling to support yourself? In fact, are there little chairs in the showers? (hmm...could borrow one from my granny if not! )

[beautifulgirls]

I had an epidural both times. With DD#1 I was totally numb couldn't move as was topped up fully for expected c/sect though she came out in the end with ventouse. Couldn't move properly for a few hours and afterwards was too sore to want to move, plus they have to leave a urinary catheter in for a period of time afterwards and that stops you having a shower. 12hr I think.
DD#2 my epidural didn't work at all well and to my mind I felt everything and had full movement in my legs. Still had to put up with the urinary catheter and no shower, but to be honest neither time did it really bother me at the time. The next morning (mine were both about 1pm deliveries) then yes, it was bliss to get in the shower and get sorted, but they do clean you up to a point in my experience and don't leave you feeling to bad for that time you have to wait until you are up and about.

I would say be open to all options because you really can not predict how it goes. To have an ideal in your head is good and a goal to work to, but don't feel bad if things do not unfold the way you want for your birth - it does not mean you have failed!

[pinata]

i had an epidural with DD and an emcs, after going in fully expecting a straightforward labour and delivery, first pregnancy, no problems at all. waters broke on due date, and i only got to 7cm within 48 hours, at which point they said she had to come out, because of infection risk.

i think go in with an open mind - i am a needle phobe, but after about 36 hours of contractions demanded an epidural. at that point i wouldn't have cared if someone had said i would never have use of my legs again, frankly. by the time you feel you need one, you won't be worried about moving afterwards. i had it topped up for the CS, obviously. up until that point i could sort of feel my feet, but couldn't move my legs

anyway, DD was delivered around midnight and i could move VERY SLOWLY by the next afternoon, but it was the CS pain that stopped me rather than the epidural

unfortunately there were no little chairs in the shower. in fact, in my hospital, the showers were helpfully quite a high step up off the ground. how i cursed as i was left to shower alone

not sure if this is always the case, but my hospital's MLU is attached to the labour ward in any case, so if i'd gone in there and needed intervention and more drugs, they would have just transferred me

[2point4kids]

I had 2 epidurals (with different labours, not at the same time lol)
After the first one it took 2 or 3 hours before I could move properly agan and had to be helped to shower.
The second time I was up very soon afterwards and was able to take myself off for a shower fine.
Both times (different hopitals) the showers had seats in and there was someone to help if needed.

[TeenyTinyTorya]

I had an epidural - didn't want one at all, but had to give in after being induced. I was given a bed bath after labour, and then couldn't leave my bed until about 4 or 5 hours afterwards. When my legs finally started working, I could only walk very slowly, but this was more the agony from the episiotomy. It didn't take too long to wear off.

[mrsgboring]

I could move about straight away. My epidural was perfect, could feel to push but no pain. I was left to shower on my own afterwards and it was no picnic. I think I shall refuse to shower next time [dirty] because didn't find it particularly helpful trying to manage new baby with dripping wet hair.

Many many people give birth without epidural and are fine, so don't let your mother steer you too far off course from what you had decided was right for you before she stuck her oar in.

I will say though that I have had two labours, both induced with baby OP which make it more painful. With the first I had no epidural and was far too out of it to be able to push properly. With epidural second time round I was perfectly in control, could push and had a good experience.

[Anifrangapani]

I wasn't warned about the my legs ( and brain I guess) not working. Went to get up after a few hours and fell over. Great for teh comedy value, but not good for the colour of the air on a ward

[priceyp]

I had just gas and air with first and epidural with second. The epidural was fab, had more numbness in one leg than the other, but I think that's perfectly normal. I did have a catheter for a wee just before delivery, but the MW did offer to take me to the toilet and help me, but baby was crowning so not an option iykwim. I was taken by wheelchair to my room an hour or so later, but able to walk unaided within 2 hours and had shower with just dh holding the baby and on stand by! Everyone's labour is different, both of mine where very different. Keep an open mind and don't be too rigid in your birth plan. I would agree with your mum in some ways. I had the option of 2 hospitals with dc1. One that was MLU only, but in the event of needing intervention meant an ambulance trip to the other one! No brainer for me! Does that make sense?

[captainofthemummies]

Epidural (or spinal block not sure whatthe diff is) for caesarians. Couldn't move for some hours, but that was ok, hooked up to drips and catheters etc. Showered next day, doubled over from the stitches.

[artichokes]

My epidural was meant to be a mobile one but it totally parlysed me. As a result I had to be flat on my back, legs akimbo. I kept looking at my legs and wondering whose they were . I could not move me legs for several hours afterwards and had to have a catheter.

I regret my epi. Because I could not feel to push, and was flat on my back, I could not get DD out. They tried ventouse and then forceps. Eventually they got her out with forceps and an episiotomy and much tearing. I honestly beleive if I had been able to feel to push and could have been upright I could have avoided all that.

This time I really, really want to go to the MLU where they will help me avoid an epi.

[pushchair]

!st epidural was able to get up and had a bath! straight away. Felt a bit wobbly and midwife was next door and said to shout out if in trouble.
2nd one had a top up just before the midwife decided baby had to come out and so was numb for hours, with the catheter and all. Had a bath on my own and was absolutely fine later thet day.
Good luck and yes keep an open mind. I would be mentally singing que sera,sera....